The effect of "Tai Chi" exercise on depression, quality of sleep and some of physiological factors in elderly, living in Nursing Home

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of 12 weeks of "Tai Chi" exercise on some of physiological and psychological factors in elderly living in Nursing Home. In this experimental study, 58 elderly male and female age 69.15±5.3 yr, height 154 ± 0.1 cm and weight 58.13 ±4.4 kg, lived in Sadeghie Nursing Home were selected and objectively divided in experimental (n=27) and control groups (n=30). The experimental group trained for 3 month, three session per/week, and 30 minute in each session. Heart rate, blood pressure, hands grip strength, flexibility, Berg balance scale, depression and quality of sleep were measured before and after the exercise program. Data were analyzed for group differences using covariance test. There was no significant group difference in heart rate, blood pressure and flexibility. Hands grip strength, quality of sleep and balance scales were significantly improved and depression significantly decreased in experimental compared with control group. So, it seems that using Tai Chi exercise can improve some of physiological factors, depression and quality of sleep in elderly.